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Alejandro Rosario SP | WAS
Rangers' Alejandro Rosario: Out for season with elbow injury
Rosario needs elbow surgery and will be sidelined for the entire 2025 season, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
It's not yet clear what type of surgery Rosario will undergo or what his timeline will be for returning to action beyond the fact that he won't pitch this season. According to Rangers general manager Chris Young, the elbow issue is an "acute injury" that Rosario felt after tossing a bullpen during spring camp. Rosario emerged as one of the organization's top prospects after posting a 2.24 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 129:13 over 88.1 innings between Single-A and High-A ball last year.
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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Orioles' Charlie Morton: Set for spring debut
Morton (illness) is scheduled to start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The 41-year-old missed some workouts at the start of camp due to an illness, but he'll still make his spring debut for the Orioles within the first few games of camp. Morton joined Baltimore on a one-year, $15 million contract in early January and will be a key rotation piece after posting a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 167:65 K:BB across 165.1 innings with Atlanta last year.
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Matt Manning SP | PHI
Tigers' Matt Manning: Struggles in spring debut
Manning allowed three runs on three hits and four walks across 1.1 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Manning followed starter Kenta Maeda, who tossed two scoreless innings, with a rough relief appearance to begin his spring schedule. Of particular concern is the four walks, as the righty struggled with command last season in the majors, posting a career-worst 3.9 BB/9 across 27.2 regular-season innings. The 27-year-old is vying for a roster spot during spring training, but continued struggles could relegate Manning to Triple-A Toledo, which is where he spent most of 2024.
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Tyler Mahle SP | ATL
Rangers' Tyler Mahle: Makes spring debut
Mahle allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two over two innings in Saturday's spring start against the the Giants.
Mahle gave up some loud contact during his Cactus League debut, including a two-run home run to former Ranger Sam Huff. After a couple of seasons marred by Tommy John elbow surgery and a shoulder injury, Mahle is expected to win a job in the Rangers' rotation.
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Kenta Maeda SP | NYY
Tigers' Kenta Maeda: Effective in spring debut
Maeda tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He didn't allow a hit or a walk and struck out four.
Making his first spring training appearance, Maeda looked comfortable in a starting role, as he breezed through the first two innings of the game. The veteran righty has displayed increased velocity in camp, and that translated into four strikeouts among the six batters he retired. Maeda struggled mightily in 2024, posting a career-worst 6.09 ERA across 112.1 regular-season innings, but a bounceback campaign is possible in 2025. With Alex Cobb (hip) unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, Maeda may have a path to some starts in the early going.
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Justin Steele SP | CHC
Cubs' Justin Steele: Sharp in spring debut
Steele tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and struck out five.
In his first action of the spring, Steele already appeared to be in midseason form. The lefty was limited to only 24 starts last year due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he was effective when healthy, compiling a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings. Steele figures to slot in behind Shota Imanaga in Chicago's rotation this season, giving the Cubs an imposing 1-2 punch, and both are attractive options for fantasy managers.
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Brayan Bello RP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Throwing from 90 feet
Bello (shoulder) has extended his throwing program to 90 feet and will undergo a strength test Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
The right-hander was shut down briefly at the start of camp due to shoulder soreness, and he's still building up his arm strength before progressing to bullpen sessions. Bello's availability for the beginning of the regular season remains up in the air, and he may need to return to mound work soon to avoid a delayed start to the campaign.
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Triston McKenzie SP | SD
Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Cedes homer in spring debut
McKenzie allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two innings in Saturday's spring game against the Reds.
McKenzie is looking to turn the page on a disappointing 2024, when he finished the season at Triple-A Columbus. He mainly used his four-seamer, which was noticeably faster than the 91.1 mph it averaged last season, and gave up a lot of hard contact, including a first-inning home run to Elly De La Cruz. It was an efficient outing for the right-hander, who got several quick outs during his first Cactus League outing.
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Graham Ashcraft RP | CIN
Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Throws two scoreless innings
Ashcraft allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against the Brewers.
It was a strong start for Ashcraft, who is looking to claim a spot in the Reds' rotation. This was his first time pitching in a game environment since he was placed on the injured list last July with elbow soreness. Once a lock for the rotation, Ashcraft needs to win a spot this spring. He told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that he picked up good routines during rehab and they carried over into Saturday's outing. With a couple of starter candidates delayed this spring -- Andrew Abbott (shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (elbow) -- Ashcraft is in a good position to claim a spot in the rotation, although ever since he was drafted in 2019, the team has discussed a move to the bullpen. The right-hander said he's open for either role.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Makes first spring outing
Greene allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against Cleveland.
Greene pounded the zone, which Guardians batters were prepared for and jumped on for a couple of hard-hit balls in the opening frame, including a two-run home run by Lane Thomas. "It's the first game," Greene told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "They're 0-0 pitches and guys are swinging. They know I get ahead with fastballs and for me, I wasn't disappointed or mad or scratching my head. That's going to happen." Greene allowed more hard contact in the second inning but managed to get out of a two-on, two-out jam. Greene is expected get the ball for the Reds on Opening Day.